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The Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) will perform at the new Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts during its inaugural season, “A Season of Joy.” The performance is scheduled for Monday, April 5, 2027.
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WIU Announces Quad City Symphony Orchestra Performance at Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts

May 21, 2026

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - -Western Illinois University has announced that the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) will perform at the new Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts during its inaugural season, "A Season of Joy." The performance is scheduled for Monday, April 5, 2027, and represents a significant milestone for both the University and the orchestra.

"We are thrilled to be presented by Western Illinois University as part of the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts inaugural season, it's an honor for the QCSO to help bring this exciting new performance space to life," Brian Baxter, QCSO executive director said. "This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to artistic excellence and expanding access to inspiring live music across the region."

The concert marks the first time in more than 30 years that the QCSO will present a Masterworks performance outside of the Quad Cities region. Hosted on WIU's Macomb campus, the event reflects the university's continued commitment to expanding access to high-quality arts programming across West-Central Illinois.

The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts, opening in September 2026, is a newly constructed, state-of-the-art facility designed to serve as a regional hub for arts and culture. The approximately 100,000-square-foot venue includes an 870-seat Great Hall and a 200-seat Studio Theater, supporting a wide range of performances, including music, theatre and visiting artists.

The QCSO performance will take place following its regularly scheduled Masterworks VI concerts in the Quad Cities, extending that program to Macomb audiences. The April 5 program is expected to include a dynamic selection of orchestral works, showcasing both established repertoire and contemporary compositions.
The program features the premiere of a symphonic work by Michael Abels, alongside Symphony No. 8 (Dvořák), widely regarded as one of Antonín Dvořák's most joyful and uplifting works.

This collaboration highlights a long-standing relationship between WIU and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, including shared connections through alumni and faculty from WIU's School of Music. The event also aligns with the university's broader efforts to strengthen partnerships and enhance cultural opportunities throughout the region.

"Partnering with the QCSO is exciting for a lot of reasons--solidifying our relationship with the Quad Cities, showing off the dynamic acoustics of the new Great Hall, and getting to feature a brand new work by composer Michael Abels. I'm thrilled to be bringing this level of artistic quality to Western Illinois audiences," Anne Lefter, director of WIU's Goldfarb Center said.

The April 2027 performance will serve as a featured event of the Goldfarb Center's inaugural season and as a capstone to the QCSO's 112th Masterworks season.

For more information on WIU's Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts, visit wiu.edu/cofac/gcpa/.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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